ASTON VILLA V. BOLTON WANDERERS.
VILLA SECURE A NARROW VICTORY.

The visit of Bolton Wanderers to Aston Lower Grounds created a considerable amount of stir in Birmingham football circles, fully 20,000 spectators turning out to view the encounter.

The home team included Sharp and John Cowan, vice Athersmith and Smith, both the injured list, while the Wanderers played exactly the same eleven that performed creditably against Stoke.

The visitors opened the game, and were the first to press, until Evans got the home forwards on the go. Devey made considerable headway, and when near goal passed to Sharp, the last named testing Sutcliffe, the ball eventually going outside the Bolton goal.

Thomson and Miller ran down the right, but Aston dispossessed them, and at the other end Devey tested Sutcliffe without effect.

The home lads had slightly the best of the exchanges, and after fourteen minutes' Wheldon, following some really praiseworthy forward work, banged the ball into the Bolton goal amid the usual wild round of cheering.

The Villa commenced to attack immediately the game was again entered upon, Johnson missing the mark by inches. Somerville and Lockhart stood up well to the onslaught, and at the other end both Aston and Evans drew up the front rank in good style.

Johnson led his men to Sutcliffe's end but Brown relieved, and Nicoll got past the home halves, although he was robbed of the ball before he reached George.

Play was of a give-and take character until the interval, at which point the score stood - Aston Villa, one goal; Bolton Wanderers, nothing.

Immediately the was again entered upon John Cowan and Wheldon ran down, but Somerville was able to prevent further disaster. Wanderers had a look in, but subsequently the game was of a rather slow character, the ground being very heavy and slippery.

Redoubling their efforts the Bolton men swarmed round the Villa goal, and with no one beat but George, Thomson drove ball the wrong side of the upright.

Gilligan and Jack had a good run, and Freebairn getting possession he sent a shot which George ought to have saved, but to the chagrin of the home team's supporters he let the ball slip from his hands into the net, and the rivals were now on equal terms.

This event was the means of waking players of both sides, for a time play was of a speedy character, each goal being in turn attacked. Sharp burst at great pace and passed to Devey, but the Villa captain shot wildly over the bar. He made amends for this, however, shortly afterwards, for, accepting a pass from John Cowan, he swung the ball past Sutcliffe, thus giving the home men the lead.

Bolton retaliated in good style, but the home halves held them in check. Bowman, James Cowan, and Crabtree all doing good work. The home men were full of running, and for the most part the issue was now fought out in close proximity to Sutcliffe’s charge.

Nicoll on one occasion looked dangerous, but the Villa held the whip hand and eventually won. Result - Aston Villa, two goals, Bolton Wanderers, one goal.